Nationwide wave of arrests executed in crackdown on multi-million-shekel military machinery scheme

OCTOBER 20, 2026 08:38Updated: OCTOBER 20, 2026 08:42Authorities arrested 21 suspects, including soldiers, in a multi-million-dollar fraud crackdown on Tuesday morning.An investigation, conducted by the National Economic Crime Unit (YALAK) of Lahav 433 in cooperation with the Military Police, as well as the Tax Authority, uncovered a scheme in which heavy machine contractors teamed up with IDF soldiers to inflate reports, forge hours, and report fictitious activity for heavy machinery operation in the Gaza Strip throughout the Swords of Iron campaign.The investigation culminated in a nationwide wave of arrests, with individuals being detained on suspicion of obtaining goods by deceit, bribery, and money laundering. In the course of the operations, it is suspected that fraud on the scale of millions of shekels was committed.Investigators brought the detainees to Lahav 433 for questioning, and they are expected to appear for remand hearings at the Beersheba Magistrates' Court and the Military Court in Beit Lid.This is a developing story.Follow us on Google